How To Fix the Orange Flame on Your Water Heater in Oak Bluff

You probably don’t spend much time staring at your water heater’s flame. However, if that flame turns orange instead of blue, even a quick look could tell you that your system isn’t burning fuel the right way. If you’d like to prevent wasted gas, soot buildup, and safety risks, you’ll want to learn how to fix an orange flame on your water heater step by step. 



Learn more below, including when it makes more sense to call experts like King’s Services for plumbing services in Oak Bluff, MB.

What an Orange Water Heater Flame Implies for Oak Bluff Homeowners

A blue flame means your water heater is burning gas efficiently and venting safely. An orange flame signals poor combustion, which creates soot and wastes fuel. That buildup also drives up your energy bills and wears out your system faster.

In Oak Bluff, dusty basements or sealed utility rooms with limited airflow often cause orange flames because low oxygen levels make it harder for the flame to burn clean. However, as incomplete combustion also increases the risk of carbon monoxide infiltrating your home, the flame colour is important.

How To Fix the Orange Flame on Your Water Heater Step-by-Step

Follow the steps below to stop orange flames before they lead to damage, higher bills, or safety risks inside your home.

Clean the Burner Assembly

Know how to fix an orange flame on your water heater? Cleaning the burner assembly would be your first step.

Turn off the gas and remove the burner access panel. Use a soft brush or compressed air to clear soot and dust from the burner ports.

Burner assembly cleaning restores proper fuel flow, helps the flame burn blue again, and prevents soot buildup inside the chamber.

Adjust the Gas-to-Air Ratio

Adjusting the gas-to-air ratio helps the flame burn clean. Instead of orange, it should revert back to a blue flame.

Look for the air shutter near the burner tube, usually shaped like a sliding plate or rotating collar. While the burner is running, slowly turn the shutter until the flame turns blue. Too much gas or too little air causes incomplete combustion, which then leads to heavy soot.

Check and Adjust the Pilot Light

Pilot light adjustment keeps your burner lighting safely and consistently.

Turn off the gas, remove the access panel, and locate the pilot orifice. Use a needle or compressed air to clear any debris and ensure the flame touches the thermocouple directly and stays steady. A weak or misaligned pilot affects burner ignition and flame quality.

Remove Soot to Improve Combustion Efficiency

Removing soot buildup improves combustion efficiency and helps your system burn clean.

Open the combustion chamber and use a soft brush or vacuum to clear soot from the burner, flame arrestor, and flue. Soot blocks airflow and traps heat, which forces the burner to run hot and dirty. Cleaning these areas helps.

Inspect the Flame Sensor

If you want to know how to fix an orange flame on your water heater, start by looking at the flame sensor. 

Turn off the power and gas, and remove the sensor using a screwdriver. Gently scrub it with a soft brush or fine steel wool to remove corrosion. 

If the sensor fails to detect the flame, your burner may shut off or burn unevenly. Flame sensor inspection keeps the system firing consistently.

Clear Ventilation Blockages 

Fixing ventilation issues helps your burner get the oxygen it needs to burn clean.

Check the air intake and flue for dust, lint, or obstructions. Use a vacuum or long brush to remove anything that blocks airflow. Low oxygen makes the flame burn yellow or orange. 

Restoring airflow means a blue flame, protecting your home from combustion buildup. 

What To Do When the Flame Is Still Orange

Are you still wondering how to fix an orange flame on your water heater? If the steps above haven’t changed the flame blue again, the unit likely has gas leaks, ignition failure, or heavy soot buildup. Carbon monoxide has no smell and builds up silently, so don’t wait to ask local professionals like King’s Services to inspect, repair, and restore your water heaters safely. 



Keep Your Oak Bluff Home Safe With King’s Services

You’ve just learned how to fix an orange flame on your water heater with step-by-step solutions. Now, use our other blog as your water heater maintenance guide and keep it handy for routine checks. If the flame is still orange or your system won’t stay lit, contact King’s Services today for reliable service in Oak Bluff, Manitoba!